The play-off puzzle!

Gaurav Prasad is the modest one and as he said, “I will just keep this short and sweet.” Currently pursuing my computer science engineering he is for sure included in the list of millions who are fascinated by sports. Needless to say, being an Indian, he is a huge fan of cricket as cricket virtually flows through the veins of all Indians! Apart from this, he generally likes to spend his time reading novels ,watching movies, etc, activities of a normal college going guy. If there is something that he want to learn, it would have to be musical instrument he says.”I truly believe that music is a great option to take out your stress.

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I don’t think that many would disagree with me when I say that this, by far, has been the most interesting season of the Indian Premier League. There is a buzz in the air as we have reached the business end of the tournament yet we don’t know who is going to make it to the final four.

Out of the nine teams,seven teams are still in contention while the remaining two teams can surely be counted out. According to the new rules of the play-offs, the team which tops the league table will get two chances instead of one in case they lose their first match to earn themselves a one way ticket to the final on 27th May. The teams which have solidated their position at the top since the commencement of the tournament are the Delhi Daredevils and Kolkatta Knight Riders. Though Delhi has successfully secured their spot at the top now,Kolkatta just seems to be loosing their grip on things.

After having a look at today’s matches,Mumbai and Delhi are at 18 points while Kolkatta and Chennai are at 17 points. Bangalore would have been very disappointed after today’s result and with two matches to go, it is mandatory for them to win all their matches. Rajasthan are 14 points along with King X1 but I think the Royals would have their noses slightly ahead because they have one match against Deccan Chargers and one against the Mumbai Indians. The one against DC is at Hyderabad and the Charger’s track record at their home ground is miserable as they have won only once. But in T20, we all know that things can turn in a matter of a few crucial,nail biting,nerve wrenching moments.

Now, the way things are poised at the moment, the top 4 for me will be Delhi, Kolkatta, Mumbai and Chennai. With 18 points, Delhi have to win just one more match and I believe that they are very much capable of doing that as they have one match against RCB and two against KX1. Mumbai and Chennai are peaking at the right time having found the perfect combination to go with. Mumbai have two matches in their kitty while the men in yellow have only one left against the KX1. Kolkatta are scratchy at the moment as their batting solely depends on Gautam Gambhir but they have one match against Pune Warriors and unless something miraculous happens,they should secure their 19 points.

RCB and Rajasthan have an outside chance of making it to the play offs but at the moment, it looks unlikely.